Customers 'unsurprised' at Vue mouse problem with council confirming issue 'confined' to non-food areas
Customers are “unsurprised” a popular cinema is suffering with a rodent problem, after a mouse was spotted during a screening
The incident, which occured at the Gunwharf Quays site on April 2, resulted in many customers abandoning their seats and claiming a refund, with one movie-goer, Megan Jackson, taking to social media about her traumatic experience.
A spokesperson from the Portsmouth City Council has now confirmed Environmental Health Officers are aware of the issue and have conducted an inspection at the premises.
The council spokesperson added: “The business is working with professional pest control contractors, and we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure appropriate controls are in place.”
The cinema chain previously said it is “working extensively” to “combat the issues raised” through “regular contractor visits and the introduction of a wide range of additional proofing and cleaning measures.”
Following The News’s initial reports, readers have said they are unsurprised at the rodent issue, with some saying it has not deterred them from visiting.
Robynne Calvert said: “I worked there and people leave the screens in a disgusting state, especially their children. The kids films were absolutely destroyed with popcorn sweets and litter everywhere. Maybe treat the cinemas with the same respect you would your own home and there won’t be mice running around?”
Danielle Elliott continued: “Yeah it's been like that for ages, me and my friend heard something definitely bigger than a mouse last February, hasn't stopped me going.”
She said: “That’s a clear sign that they are trying to do something about it - I think people need to calm down. Mice, rats and foxes are a thing just like pigeons and those rapters they call seagulls these days.”
Kayleigh Nexus Griffiths said the venue, which features 14 screens, “was spotlessly clean” when she was last at the cinema.
Jane Brown added: “Shocked by mice in an establishment that has food left on the floor for hours. Unless everyone that goes to the cinema clears up after themselves then this will continue to happen.”
Scott Harvey wrote: “I’m not suprised at all. With the amout of food that is brought in to the cinemas for every film, the cleaners haven't got the man power or time todo a spotless clean up after every film because they're pretty much being timed and need to get the next load of costumers in.
“And of course some customers leave their rubbish behind and food on the floor because we can't take it with us, because we're lazy. If we took it with us, it would save the cleaners, a little bit of time. And so the result is mice. What a shocker.”
The issue at Vue comes less than three weeks after The News published an article revealing more than 80 food and drink venues had been issued temporary closure orders over the past five years.
James Shore, managing director of NJS Pest Control, previously said he has witnessed a major increase in the number of jobs he attends involving mice across the city.
The 25-year-old said: “There has definitely been an increase. The problem with Portsmouth is that it’s full of mice and it’s always been full of mice. It’s particularly bad at the moment - usually it’s because of the weather but there are a lot of different reasons for it.”